Holle Goat Stage 2 is a goat milk formula designed for babies 6 to 12 months old with sensitivities to cow milk. The formula is a complete source of nutrition and can be used for babies that are still breastfeeding in addition to babies who started life on Holle Goat Stage 1 and have outgrown it.
Holle goat formulas are derived from organic whole goat’s milk which serves as the primary protein, along with organic maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate. The product uses a blend of vegetable oils for fat including organic sunflower oil and organic rapeseed oil.
There is evidence to suggest that some babies are able to digest goat’s milk-based formulas more easily than cow’s milk-based formulas. Additionally, a 2022 study comparing goat milk formula to breastmilk found that goat milk formula was safe, well-tolerated, and resulted in similar growth patterns compared to the babies receiving breast milk.
Founded in 1933, Holle is one of the largest and most popular baby formula brands in Europe. The company specializes in high quality, organic, and Demeter certified (biodynamic farming) baby formulas that are free from all preservatives and additives.
While the majority of baby formulas are made from cow’s milk, some babies can’t tolerate traditional cow’s milk formulas due to an allergy or an intolerance.
Consequently, there are an increasing number of goat milk formulas on the market to choose from. Holle’s Goat Stage 2 is a good choice from a brand with a long-standing history of making quality products.
Here are the pros and cons of Holle Goat Stage 2 Formula:
Pros:
Cons:
The ingredients in Holle Goat Stage 2 formula are designed to meet the nutritional needs of babies ages 6-10 months and are as follows:
Organic Full Cream Goat’s Milk Powder, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Vegetable Oils [Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Rapeseed Oil], Organic Lactose, Starch, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Citrate, Microalgae Oil, L-Cystine, Iron Sulfate, Magnesium Chloride, Vitamin C, L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Vitamin E, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B2, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin K, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3, Biotin, Vitamin B12.
Holle Goat formulas are derived from organic whole goat milk which serves as the primary protein, along with organic maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate.
Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide that is often used as a food additive. It is quickly digested and can be moderately sweet in taste. Maltodextrin has a high glycemic load, meaning it can rapidly raise blood sugar levels. While this isn’t necessarily unsafe for babies, it may not be ideal as it can contribute to gastrointestinal distress for some.
The product is free of palm oils, and instead offers a blend of vegetable oils for fat including organic sunflower oil and organic rapeseed oil. While palm oil is used in many US and European formulas, it has a tendency to cause some digestive issues like gas.
Holle Goat Stage 2 formula does not have any added probiotics however; goat’s milk is naturally high in prebiotic oligosaccharides. One 2019 study found that goat’s milk formulas appear to mimic human breast milk more closely as they contain a similar prebiotic profile.
Protective prebiotics, also known as oligosaccharides, are naturally-occurring carbohydrates that feed the good bacteria in the gut. This can help promote digestive health and enhance immunity.
Goat’s milk formula may be beneficial for babies with lactose intolerance. Lactose is the sugar found in milk which is digested by an enzyme known as lactase. Some babies don’t have sufficient amounts of lactase which leads to gastrointestinal upset when lactose is digested. Goat’s milk has lower levels of lactose than cow’s milk, and may be easier to digest for babies who can’t tolerate traditional milk-based formulas.
The ingredients in Holle Goat Stage 2 formula are organic and free from artificial preservatives, chemicals, flavors, soy, and added dyes. They are produced with chemical-free farming and manufacturing and follow highly responsible and sustainable farming practices and ingredient sourcing.
Holle Goat Stage 2 is complete baby formula, meaning it provides 100% of the nutritional requirements for babies who are 6 to 10 months old. The formula provides all of the essential vitamins and minerals that are required by the FDA for baby formulas.
The product also contains 14.1 mg of DHA per 3 ounces in the form of algae oil. DHA is an important nutrient that has been linked to improved brain and cognitive development in babies.
While goat’s milk formula is often touted as “hypoallergenic”, it’s important to note that babies with a diagnosed dairy allergy should not consume any goat’s milk formulas. Goat milk formulas will likely trigger an allergic reaction in the same way cow’s milk formula would, as the proteins are very similar.
If your baby is sensitive, rather than allergic to cow’s milk protein, or is mildly lactose intolerant, they may benefit from a goat milk formula as goat’s milk has lower levels of lactose than cow’s milk.
Here is how Holle Goat Stage 2 compares to other goat milk formulas:
Designed by Nature is a popular goat milk formula manufactured in the US. Their formula is organic, non-GMO, and also FDA approved.
Designed by Nature is free from gluten, soy, corn, or palm oil, similar to Holle’s product.
One advantage to Designed by Nature goat milk formula is that it’s intended for all ages, meaning you won’t have to transition your baby to another formula once they reach 6 months, 12 months, or beyond. Additionally, Designed by Nature is more widely available in the US, which can cut down on shipping costs and delivery times.
However, the company uses organic cod liver oil for added fats, which may pose a problem for anyone with a fish allergy.
Manufactured in New Zealand, Little Oaks’ follow-on formula is made from fresh whole goat’s milk and is designed for babies from 6 to 12 months.
Their formula contains all the necessary nutrients for growth and development including DHA from algae. While the company tries to source its ingredients naturally and sustainably, the ingredients in Little Oak are not organic, like Holle’s entire line of formulas.
Additionally, Little Oaks’ follow-on formula has less iron than Holle Goat Stage 2, with 0.88 mg versus 1.0 mg per 100 mL, respectively.
Jovie organic goat milk formulas are made in The Netherlands and are not only made with organic ingredients but are also free from synthetic chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides, soluble mineral fertilizers, chemical growth regulators, or antibiotics.
Their stage 2 formula is intended for babies between the ages of 6 to 12 months and meets FDA and USDA nutrition standards.
Unlike Holle, who sources their DHA from algae, Jovie uses fish oil, which is problematic for babies with an allergy to fish. However, rather than using maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate, Jovie uses lactose which may be easier for babies to digest barring any issues with lactose intolerance.
Holle Goat Stage 2 is a nutritionally complete organic European baby formula designed for babies aged 6 to 10 months old.
The formula may be beneficial for babies that have a sensitivity to cow’s milk formulas as goat’s milk-based formulas may be more easily digested. It’s important to note that a goat’s milk formula is not intended for babies with a milk allergy. Goat milk formulas will likely trigger an allergic reaction in the same way cow’s milk formula would, as the proteins are very similar.
When choosing a formula for your baby, it is best to speak to your pediatrician about which formula will meet your baby’s unique nutritional needs.
The fat molecules in goat milk are smaller than those found in cow’s milk and breastmilk. Therefore, for babies with reflux or gas, goat’s milk formulas may be easier to digest.
Additionally, goat milk naturally contains oligosaccharides, a type of prebiotic that can increase the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut making digestion and tolerance easier.
The first step in preparing Holle goat stage 2 formula is to boil fresh drinking water and then cool it to approximately 40°-50° C / 104-122° F. Then, add half of the required water to the bottle.
You’ll fill the measuring spoon and level the formula powder on the spoon and add the instructed amount of formula to the bottle.
Close the bottle and shake thoroughly. Then, add the remaining water and shake thoroughly again. Cool to drinking temperature of approx. 37° C / 98.6° F.
Holle’s organic formulas do not contain any added probiotics. However, goat’s milk naturally contains prebiotic oligosaccharides which can help promote digestive health.
Holle Goat stage 2 formula is designed for babies that are between 6 and 10 months old. You should switch to Holle Goat stage 2 once your baby hits 6 months so they can get the exact nutrition they need during this stage of development.
Holle Goat stage 1 formula is designed for babies from birth to 6 months of age, while Holle Goat stage 2 formula is designed for babies from 6 months on.
Holle stage 1 formula has a higher fat content than Holle stage 2 formula (26g vs. 23.8g/100g). Holle stage 2 has a higher iron content than Holle stage 1, 5.9mg vs. 4.1g/100g. This accounts for the iron that babies have stored in their bodies before birth which is depleted by 6 months.
Holle baby formulas are made in Germany and the FDA only regulates items manufactured in the United States.
However, goat milk infant formulas like Holle Goat Stage 2 are made in Europe and are required to meet the European Commission’s standards for food products, which can be even stricter than FDA standards.
| Age | Water (ml) | Scoops | Ready-made Formula (ml) | Meals per Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6+ months | 170 | 5 | 180 | 2-3 |
| 200 | 6 | 210 | 2-3 | |
| 230 | 7 | 250 | 2-3 |
| Nutritional Facts | (Per 100ml or 3.38 oz/3 oz prepared) |
|---|---|
| Energy | 68 kcal |
| Total Fat | 3.5 g |
| Saturates | 1.3 g |
| Monounsaturates | 1.7 g |
| Polyunsaturates | 0.6 g |
| Linoleic Acid (Omega 6) | 515 mg |
| Linolenic Acid (Omega 3) | 53 mg |
| DHA | 14.1 mg |
| Total Carbs | 7.5 g |
| Sugars | 3.3 g |
| Lactose | 3.2 g |
| Starch | 0.63 g |
| Protein | 1.4 g |
| Sodium | 19 mg |
| Potassium | 75.0 mg |
| Calcium | 75.2 mg |
| Iron | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus | 41.1 mg |
| Magnesium | 6.50 mg |
| Chloride | 76.2 mg |
| Zinc | 0.46 mg |
| Nutritional Facts | (Per 100ml or 3.38 oz/3 oz prepared) |
|---|---|
| Copper | 0.046 mg |
| Iodine | 14.0 mcg |
| Manganese | 0.0063 mg |
| Selenium | 2.4 mcg |
| Fluoride | 0.0053 mg |
| Vitamin C | 13 mg |
| Vitamin A | 63.4 mcg RE |
| Vitamin D3 | 1.6 mcg |
| Vitamin E | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.052 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.073 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.040 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.17 mcg |
| Folic Acid | 12.9 mcg |
| Folate | 21.6 mcg DFE |
| Pantothenic Acid | 0.37 mg |
| Vitamin K | 5.5 mcg |
| Biotin | 2.0 mcg |
| Niacin | 0.41 mg |
Organic Full Cream Goat’s Milk Powder, Organic Maltodextrin, Organic Vegetable Oils [Organic Sunflower Oil, Organic Rapeseed Oil], Organic Lactose, Starch, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Hydroxide, Calcium Citrate, Microalgae Oil, L-Cystine, Iron Sulfate, Magnesium Chloride, Vitamin C, L-Tryptophan, L-Tyrosine, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Chloride, Vitamin E, Zinc Sulfate, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Copper Sulfate, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin B2, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Vitamin K, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin D3, Biotin, Vitamin B12.
